Flashlight with accessory holder

ABSTRACT

A multi-section flashlight with an auxiliary compartment which screws onto the battery holder provides space for service, first aid or survival items or the like making a unitary flashlight and aid or survival kit. The rear threads of the battery holder are identical to rear threads on the auxiliary compartment so that an end cap can be alternatively screwed onto the battery holder and compartment.

United States Patent [191 Olbermann, Jr.

[111 3,710,092 51 Jan. 9, 1973 [54] FLASHLIGHT WITH ACCESSORY HOLDER [7 5] Inventor: John H. 0lbel'm8lIIl, Jl'., l h0n11(,

Ariz. 85027 [22] Filed: Oct. 13, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 188,966

52 0.8. CI ..240/6.4 R, 240/l0. 66, 240/10, 68 Int. Cl ..F01V 33/00 Field of Search ..240/6.4 CL, 6.4 R, 240/1066, 10.68

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2/1951 Borsody ..240/6.4 R X 2,614,206 10/1952 Goad ..240/6 4 R X 2,931,539 4/1960 Maxey ..240/6.4 R X 7/1966 Stahl ..240/l0.66

Primary ExaminerSamuel S. Matthews Assistant ExaminerE. M. Bero Attorney-Merle J. Smith [57] ABSTRACT A multi-section flashlight with an auxiliary compartment which screws onto the battery holder provides space for service, first aid or survival items or the like making a unitary flashlight and aid or survival kit. The rear threads of the battery holder are identical to rear threads on the auxiliary compartment so that an end cap can be alternatively screwed onto the battery holder and compartment.

3 Claims, 1 Drawing Figure FLASHLIGHT WITH ACCESSORY HOLDER BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a combination multi-section flashlight and accessory holder for service items, first aid material, survival aids or the like which comprises a lamp and reflector housing containing a casing, lens, reflector and lamp. The casing is threaded to accept a tubular or cylindrical battery holder threaded at both ends and containing an exterior switch to make the necessary contact between battery and lamp. A tubular or cylindrical accessory holder, threaded at both ends, screws onto the rear of the battery holder. A metal disk is immovably placed over the cross section of the holder to the rear of the front end threads of the accessory holder and is adapted to make electrical contact with rear battery and switch.-A contact spring is seated on the disk exerting pressure on the rear battery and providing electrical contact. A threaded cap closes the rear, threaded end of the accessory holder.

The drawing shows the combination flashlight and auxiliary holder, partially in cross section.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a flashlight containing an auxiliary compartment for storing various additional small items useful particularly in remote places and especially items making up a survival kit.

Flashlights are carried for use under a wide variety of circumstances. They are widely used in automobiles and trucks, on fishing and camping trips and exploratory missions of various types. Frequently there is a need not only for the light provided by a battery powered torch but also for additional items useful in many ways. For example, repair or first aid items are often needed on automobile or camping trips. Items useful to the fisherman such as hooks, flies and the like are used on fishing trips. On journeys into remote areas, items adapted for survival when lost or out of contact with companions are carried along with'flashlights.

It is the object of this invention to provide a flashlight unit combining the flashlight with a compartment for storing items frequently required along with the light such as those described above. It is an especial object of this invention to provide a combination flashlight and survival kit.

The flashlight combination shown in the figure comprises four basic segments, the lamp holder or housing 1, the battery holder 2, the accessory compartment 3 and base cap 4. The lamp housing includes the conventional casing 5 which contains the reflector 6 and the lamp 7 screwed into the receptacle forming the base of the reflector. The lens 8 is seated on the widened front end of the casing which is threaded to accept the retainer ring 9.

The battery holder 2 is a hollow cylinder, threaded at both ends, and of sufficient length to contain two or three flashlight batteries IS. The front thread accepts the lamp housing unit. A switch 10 is affixed to the battery holder to make contact between battery and lamp in the conventional manner.

Accessory compartment 3 is a hollow unit, threaded at both ends. The front thread 11 is adapted to screw onto the threaded rear portion of battery holder 2 and the rear thread 12 accepts the threaded base cap 4. As shown in the figure, which represents the preferred embodiment, the accessory compartment maybe a hollow cylinder of substantially the same diameter as the battery holder. It will be appreciated, however, that the portion of the accessory compartment between the metal disk (referred to later) and the rear threads 12 may be enlarged in diameter so as to contain a greater amount of enclosed items, to the extent reasonably convenient for the purpose and for storing and carrying. The length of the compartment may similarly be varied. The compartment will hold small fishing items, first aid items or the varied miniaturized survival items placed in survival packs.

A short distance rearward of the front threads 11 there is rigidly fixed a disk 13 which completely closes the interior of the compartment. This disk is affixed tightly in place and further makes electrical contact with the switch, e.g. the disk is made of a conductive metal and makes firm contact with the metal wall of the compartment which is in turn in contact with the battery holder. The disk is placed at an appropriate distance from the opening so that a spiral spring 14 seated on the disk exerts sufficient pressure on the base of the rear battery to maintain the batteries in firm contact with each other and with the contact at the base of the lamp. The base coil of the spring, which is of conductive material, is of sufficient diameter to maintain friction contact with the sides of the compartment 3 both for purposes of electrical contact and also to prevent it from falling out. It is, however, removable by twisting or pulling for the reason referred to later. The space in the accessory compartment between disk and rear threads is open to receive the items to be stored. It may, however, be compartmentalized if desired.

Base cap 4 is threaded so as to provide a closure for the accessory compartment. A ring or hook 16 may be provided as a means for carrying the flashlight unit or for suspending it from a hook or belt.

According to a preferred modification, the diameter and threads of the rear portions of both the battery holder and the accessory compartment are the same. The threads of the base cap are then adapted to fit either the battery holder or the accessory compartment. It is thus possible, when the accessory compartment is not needed or desired, to remove the spring from its position on disk 13, place it in base cap 4 and close the battery holder to make only a shortened flashlight unit.

What is claimed is:

l. A multi-section flashlight and accessory holder comprising l a lamp housing, including a casing, lens, reflector and lamp; said casing being threaded to accept (2) a tubular battery holder threaded at both front and rear ends, and containing a switch on the exterior thereof, (3) a tubular accessory holder threaded at both front and rear ends, the thread at the front end being adapted to screw onto a threaded end of said battery holder and the thread at the rear end is identical to the thrcad at the rear end of said battery holder a metal disk rearward of said thread at the front end of the accessory holder adapted to make electrical contact with said switch, a contact spring seated on said disk'and a cap threaded to accept the threads at the rear ends of said accessory holder and said battery holder.

2. A flashlight as in claim 1 wherein the accessory holder has the same diameter as the battery holder.

3. A flashlight as in claim 1 wherein the accessory holder is larger in diameter than the battery holder between disk and rear threads. 

1. A multi-section flashlight and accessory holder comprising (1) a lamp housing, including a casing, lens, reflector and lamp; said casing being threaded to accept (2) a tubular battery holder threaded at both front and rear ends, and containing a switch on the exterior thereof, (3) a tubular accessory holder threaded at both front and rear ends, the thread at the front end being adapted to screw onto a threaded end of said battery holder and the thread at the rear end is identical to the thread at the rear end of said battery holder a metal disk rearward of said thread at the front end of the accessory holder adapted to make electrical contact with said switch, a contact spring seated on said disk and a cap threaded to accept the threads at the rear ends of said accessory holder and said battery holder.
 2. A flashlight as in claim 1 wherein the accessory holder has the same diameter as the battery holder.
 3. A flashlight as in claim 1 wherein the accessory holder is larger in diameter than the battery holder between disk and rear threads. 